Brassiere



May`15, 1951 R. B. WEAVER ET AL 2,553,225

BRASSIERE Filed April 2, 1948- Patented May 15, 1951 UNITED BaAssIRE Roy Blaine Weaver and Faye Freeman VJeaver, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application April 2, 1948, Serial No. l8,535

4 Claims.

This invention has to do with a brassire and it is a general object of the invention to provide such a garment which is simple, effective and comfortable.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a brassire involving few simple parts or elements which are so combined and related as to provide a garment which is most effective as a support and is at the same time comfortable and convenient to wear.

Another object vof the present invention is to provide a garment of the character referred to which is effective and practical as a support and is at the same time limited in size or in the extent to which it covers portions of the body of the wearer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a brassire characterized by a band engaged around the waist of the wearer, shoulder straps, upright ties and crossed slings, all of which are so combined as to form a comfortable practical structure which is highly effective as a support.

Another object of the invention is to provide a brassire of the character referred to including cup-like elements combined with the band, uprights and slings giving the garment a most desirable form or shape.

The various objects and features of the invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a garment embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. l, being a view taken as indicated by line 2 2 on Fig. l, and Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional View taken as indicated by line 3 3 on Fig. 1.

The garment embodying the present invention involves generally a base or band A, slings B anchored to the band at the sides of the garment, side ties or uprights D that are joined to the band at the sides of the garment and extend upwardly therefrom, shoulder straps F joined to the band at the back of the garment and connected to the ties and slings at the front of the garment, cups I-I carried by the band, ties and slings, and suitable reinforcements J that may be combined with the band and slings.

In general the band A is engaged around the wearer immediately beneath or below the breasts while the slings B are elongate elements having their lower ends anchored at lower junction points X where the ties D join the band A. The slings extend horizontally in or toward each other at the front of the garment from the junction points X to engage under the breasts and then extend upwardly and inwardly at an angle to cross at a center junction point Y from which they continue up and across to upper junction points Z where they join the shoulder straps F and the upper ends of ties D. The slings are preferably xed together at this center junction point Y.

'Ihe ties D have their lower ends anchored at the sides of the garment or at the junction points X, where the ends of the slings and the side of the band join with the lower ends of the ties. The ties extend upward and somewhat forward to the upper junction points Z where their upper ends are made fast to the upper ends of the slings and to the forward or front ends of the shoulder straps.

The shoulder straps extend from the rear of the band A over the shoulders of the wearer and their front ends are made fast at the junction points Z The cups H are located at, or are confined to, the substantially triangular areas defined by the bands, slings and ties, as will be apparent from.

Fig. 1 of the drawings. The reinforcements J, when employed, are conned to the opening that occurs at the center of the garment above the band and below the junction point Y, as shown in Fig. 1.

The base or band A is preferably a simple strap or belt-like element divided or ended so that it can be conveniently arranged around the body of the wearer, and it is provided with fastening means I0 at the point where it is divided. In the case illustrated the fastening means is of the hook type involving hooks il on one end of the band to engage in or cooperate with openings i2 in the other end of the band, the structure being such as to enable the band to be adjusted to the body of the wearer.

It is preferred, in practice, that the band A be provided with one or more elastic sections so that it is conformable to the body and may give under strain. In the particular case illustrated an elastic section i3 is inserted in the band at the back or rear portion thereof. in carrying out the present invention the band A is made sufliciently wide or of suiiicient vertical extent so as to afford an effective anchor or base for the other elements of the structure, and so as to be comfortable on the wearer.

By providing a band A proportioned substantially as shown in the drawings it aifords an effective base or anchor for the other elements and is at the same time of such limited extent as an adjusting means.

to be maintained on the wearer without discomfort, that is without either binding or cutting the wearer in any way. It is to be observed that the band A illustrated is of substantially uniform width throughout its length. However, it is to be understood that if desired it may be fashioned or varied as circumstances require.

The slings B are preferably alike, although the structure provided by the present invention enables them to be adjusted differently to suit the wearer, as circumstances may require.

Each sling is an elongate strap-like element preferably wider at its lower end portion I5 than at its upper end portion It, and it has a center or middle portion I'I joining the portions I5 and It. In the preferred form of the invention the sling is fashioned or gradually tapered between the end portions I5 and I6 in a manner such as is clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

The lower end portion of each sling is secured or anchored to the upper edge portion of the band A along a line IS which occurs beneath a breast of the wearer, while the upper. end portion I` of the sling extends across or overlies the upper portion .of the other or opposite breast. The central portion Il of the sling extends across the center of the garment or between the breasts and the center portions of the two slings intersect at the center junction point Y which is located a considerable distance above the band A.

In the preferred form of the invention the upper edge I5 of the lower end portion l5 of each sling is fashioned or curved to be concave, as shown in Fig. l, while the center portions Il of the slings may be fashioned to be slightly S- shaped. The lower end 26 of each sling is joined to a tie D and is preferably of such width or vertical extent as to effectively support the end portion I5 at the side of the garment in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

At the upper junction points Z the upper ends of the upper end portions I5 of the slings are joined to or overlap the upper ends of the ties D, the parts being shaped and proportioned so that the junction points Z occur immediately above the breasts and to conveniently receive the forward ends of the shoulder straps as they depend from the shoulders of the wearer.

By forming the lower end portions I5 of the slings so that they are wider than the .upper end portions IE, and by securing the slings at the junction points X, Y and Z, the slings serve as effective supports and they engage the wearer in such manner as to be comfortable and so as to aord freedom of the movement of the wearer.

The upper end portions IS of the slings, being narrow, are strap-like parts and operate under tension. When in operation the portions I6 are substantially straight as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. In the preferred form of the invention the upper end portion I5 of each sling includes an elastic section 22 and it is adjustable as to length. For instance, it may be provided with In the case illustrated the sling portions I6 are shown provided with hook elements 23 cooperating with hook openings 24 in such manner as to enable the wearer to conveniently adjust the lengths of the slings.

The ties D are substantially vertical or upright elements of the structure with their lower ends joined to the side portions of the band A at the sides of the garment while their upper ends are joined to the shoulder straps and slings at the junction points Z. The ties are preferably straplike elements and each is preferably provided with an elastic section 2t and with means wheren by it may be adjusted as to length. In the case illustrated each tie is shown provided with a hook element 2 engageable with openings 23 in such manner as to afford the desired adjustment. In practice it is preferred to locate or incorporate the elastic sections 25 in the ties D so that they occur above the cups H, as we have shown in Figs. l and 2 of the drawings.

The shoulder straps F are preferably simple ribbon-like straps with their rear ends anchored or nxed to the band A atthe back of the garment. In the case illustrated the straps are joined to the band at the ends of the elastic section I3. The shoulder straps extend over the shoulders of the wearer and their front end portions depend so that they reach the junction points Z where they are fixed to the slings and ties.

The cups H are concave-convex or cup-shaped fabric elements supplementing the general weightbearing structure hereinabove described. The Ycups are such as to afford comfortable support for the wearer at the saineA time creating the desired shape. The cups are carried by or anchored to the band, ties and slings so that they are effectively maintained in the desired positions and so that the load or weight borne by the cups is effectively communicated to the framelike structure established by the other elements of the construction.

The cups H are alike andare preferably of sectional construction, each `involving a lower section Se and an upper section 3l. The lower section SU of each cup has its lower .edge joined to the concave edge I9 of a sling while its outer edge is joined to the tie adjoining the lower end of said sling. The other end of such section 3Q is joined to the other sling at above the junction Y. The upper edge 33 of the section 30 may be suitably curved or fashioned as .circumstances require, although it will in most cases conform generally to the contour of the edge I3 to which section I9 is joined.

The top section 3I is preferably so formed or shaped that its upper and loweredges join or come together at the ends of the section, the lower edge being joined to the upper edge 33 of the lower section 3l) while the upper edge is free and serves to dene the upper limit of the cup. It will be readily understood, particularly from examination of the drawings, that the sections 3S and 3l of the cup may be readily shaped or fashioned, particularly along the edges which are joined together and along the edge which is joined to the sling, so that the cup has the desired size and shape.

The reinforcements J that may or may not be used, as circumstances require, may be simple straps I0 having their lower ends joined to the upper edge of the band A a short distance from the center of the band. The straps i0 extend diagonally upward to cross at 4I and their upper ends are attached to the slings a short distance below the junction point Y. It is to be observed that this construction effectively reinforces the slings at the center portion of the garment and below the junction point Y, at the same time leaving this portion of the garment open for circulation or ventilation.

It is to be understood that the structure of the present invention may be carried out by employing any desired material or combination of materials, although it is ordinarily desirable to ernploy fabrics such as are usually used in garments of this character. Further, it is also to be unders stood that the connections or joints between the various elements may be established in any desired manner.` In the preferred form of the invention the various joints or connections except the adjustable connections described, are preferably fixed or permanent connections such as may be made by stitching, or the like. Since the garment will ordinarily be formed of fabric, stitching is generally preferred for connecting the various elements together.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that we have provided a garment involving few simple parts and that the parts which must be shaped or fashioned to give the desired t to the garment are simple and such that the desired it or shape can be gained very easily. It is also significant to note that the garment embodies adjustability both as to the band A, as to the vertical ties, and as to the slings, all with the result that the garment can be readily adjusted to most comfortably fit the wearer. It is to be understood that the shoulder straps, if desired, may be provided with suitable adjustability although ordinarily they will be initially established at a length suitable for the wearer and will thereafter require no adjustment.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of our invention, we do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to ourselves any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described our invention, we claim:

l. A garment of the character described including, a engageable around the body of the wearer, shoulder straps anchored to the band at the back of the wearer to extend up therefrom and over the shoulders of the wearer to have ends at the front of the wearer and spaced above the band, side ties extending upwardly from the band near the sides of the wearer and joined to said ends of the straps at the front of the wearer, slings anchored where the ties join the band and extending across beneath the breasts of the wearer then across and up to cross at the front of the wearer and then across and up to connect with the straps where the ties connect with the straps, and cups carried by the slings, ties and band, each cup including upper and lower sections, the lower section having a lower edge joined to the upper edge of the lower end portion of one of the slings, one end of the cup at the side of the garment being joined to a tie and the other end of the cup at the center portion of the garment being joined to the other sling above the point where the slings cross, the upper section having upper and lower edges that converge to points at the ends of the section, the lower edge being joined to the upper edge of the lower section.

2. A garment of the character described including, a band engageable around the body of the wearer, shoulder straps anchored to the band at the back of the wearer to extend up therefrom and over the shoulders of the wearer to have ends at the front of the wearer and spaced above the band, side ties extending upwardly from the band near the sides of the wearer and joined to said ends of the straps at the front of the wearer, crossed slings anchored where the ties join the band and extending across beneath the breasts of the wearer and then across and up to connect with the straps where the ties connect with the straps and having curved upper edges, and cups carried by the slings, ties and band and having upper edges extending between the slings and ties and being spaced from the said ends of the straps, each cup including upper and lower sections, the lower section having a curved lower edge joined to the curved upper edge of a sling, the cup having one edge at the side of the garment joined to a tie and having another edge at the center portion of the garment joined to the other sling above the point where the slings cross, the upper section having upper and lower edges converging to points at the ends of the section,

lthe lower edge being joined to the upper edge of the lower section.

3. A garment of the character described including, a band engageable around the body of the wearer and being divided at one side and having an adjustable fastener where it is divided and having an elastic section at the back, shoulder straps anchored to the back of the band at the ends of said section to extend up therefrom and over the shoulder of the wearer to have forward ends at the front of the wearer and spaced above the band, side ties joined to the sides of the band and extending upwardly therefrom to the said forward ends of the straps, slings anchored where the ties join the band and extending across beneath the breasts of the wearer then across and up to cross at the front of the wearer and then across and up to connect with the ties where the ties connect with the straps, the lower end portion of each sling having its lower edge joined to the upper edge of the band and having its free end joined to a tie, the upper edge of said lower end portion being concave, the slings being joined where they cross, crossed straps connecting the band and the slings at points above the band and below the point where the slings cross, and oups carried by the band, ties and slings each cup including upper and lower sections, the lower section having its lower edge joined to the concave edge of one sling, the cup having one end at the side of the garment and joined to a tie and having its other end at the center portion of the garment and joined to the other sling above the point where the slings cross, the upper section being elongate and having upper and lower edges that converge to join at both ends of the section, the lower edge of the upper section being joined to the upperedge of the lower section, the ties including means adjusting the lengths of the ties and the slings including means adjusting the lengths of the slings.

4. A garment of the character described including, a band engageable around the body of the wearer, shoulder straps anchored to the bandv at the back of the wearer to extend up therefrom and over the shoulders of the wearer to have ends at the front of the wearer and spaced above the band, side ties extending upwardly from the band near the sides of the wearer and joined to said ends of the straps at the iront of the wearer, slings anchored where the ties join the band and extending across beneath the breasts of the wearer then across and up to cross at the front of the wearer and then across and up to connect with the straps where the ties connect with the straps, and cups carried by the slings, ties and band, each cup including upper and lower sections, the lower section having al lower edge joined to the upper edge of the lower end portion of one of the slings, each cup having one end at the side of the garment joined to a tie and having its other end at the center portion of the garment joined to the other sling above the point where the slings cross, the upper section being elongate and having upper and` lower edges that converge to points at both ends of the section, the upper edge being free and unsupported between said points and the lower edge being joined to the upper edge of the lower section.

ROY BLAINE WEAVER. FAYE FREEMAN WEAVER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

Number 15 Number 8 UNITED STATES` PATENTS Name Date Tucek Mar. 28, 1893 Jacob May 29, 1934 Spare Jan.`12, 1937 Becker et al Sept. 27, 1938 Rubinstein Mar. '7, 1939 Rosenthal et al. Nov. 26, 1940 Miller Nov. 13, 1945 Wtkower Dec. 4, 1945 Gerace May 21, 1946 Witkower Oct. 11, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany June 1, 1920 

